★ 08/01/2023
Gr 7 Up—In this murder mystery wrapped in fantasy, debut author Burton creates an entire world filled with fae, humans, witches, and a siren. The novel is set in the mythical world of Keirdren, a kingdom surrounded by a magical boundary put in place by a wicked and still ruling King. Saoirse, the last siren and the best soldier in the kingdom, would do anything for Rain, her adopted sister. Rain has expensive needs that drive Saoirse to use her siren powers as a murderer for hire. She must be careful, because the Royal family hates sirens and what they can do; if found out she would be executed. When the Royal family requests the best fighter in the graduating class to join the ranks of the Royal guard, Saoirse must hide her true nature and appearance with the aid of her adoptive aunt, a witch. Blackmail and murders take place, and a plot to murder the Crown Prince and Royal family is revealed. Saoirse is caught between saving her own family and friends or revealing her true nature and possibly losing herself to the power of her own Song. The book's cast of characters is brown and Black. VERDICT A highly recommended addition to any collection that serves YA readers who enjoy mystery or fantasy.—Helen Prince
★ 2023-03-29
In the kingdom of Keirdre, sirens are presumed extinct.
The trouble is that Saoirse is very much a siren—and not only does she live in Keirdre, she regularly gives into her instincts to kill by seducing men marked for death by the Employer, her anonymous boss, using her astounding beauty and entrancing singing. Her earnings supplement her family’s meager income from operating a flour mill under the exploitative rule of the Royals, the all-powerful fae at the top of Keirdre’s social hierarchy. Because Royals hate sirens more than any other creature, she hides in plain sight, disguised as an ikatus, or fae without a magical affinity. No shrinking violet, Saoirse is at the top of her class at graduation and gunning for an esteemed position in the Keirdren military. When she is instead offered a position as a guard to Prince Hayes, she initially rejects the position out of disdain for the Royals, but when Rain, Saoirse’s beloved and vulnerable little sister, receives a threatening letter, Saoirse joins the prince’s guard in hopes that proximity to the Royals will help her identify the blackmailer. Questions pile up, leading Saoirse into a deep web of deceit and intrigue in a thrilling page-turner. Snappy dialogue, unpredictable plot twists, skillful worldbuilding, strong characterization, and steamy, sensual tension between Saoirse and the prince create an immersive tale with an empowering social justice tone centering a predominantly Black and brown cast.
A winning debut. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18)
Everything about Burton's debut is razor-sharp: the writing, the tension, the twists, the action, the romance, and, of course, its heroine Saoirse herself. The magical yet treacherous Kingdom of Keirdre is an alluring backdrop for this story of deceit and deception, where no one and nothing is to be trusted - not even your own heart.” —Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire
“Burton pens a darkly enchanting fantasy that brims with siren magic, political intrigue, and the most swoon-worthy romance that will, undoubtedly, leave you begging for the next book in the series. Perfect for readers who crave a compelling, high stakes plot from start to finish, sharp-witted characters you can't help but root for, and at its heart, a beautifully flawed, morally gray heroine willing to go to great lengths to save the people she loves. Sing Me To Sleep is as thrilling as it is seductive.” —Deborah Falaye, author of Blood Scion
“A dark and sweeping fantasy, that––like a siren song––will pull you in from the very first page.” —Alechia Dow, author of The Sound of Stars
“Richly imagined and utterly immersive, Sing Me to Sleep will call to you like the sea. Saoirse is a deeply compelling character: vicious, frightened, and tender as she navigates mysteries, lies, and betrayal in the Kingdom of Keirdre. With an expansive cast of characters, a morally grey heroine, and a swoon-worthy prince, at its heart, this is a story about loyalty and will speak to anyone willing to go to great lengths for the people they love. Gabi Burton's debut is as captivating as the magic within its pages, and will leave you breathless until the final line.” —Adrienne Tooley, author of Sweet & Bitter Magic and The Third Daughter
“A dark, swoony thriller...Burton's evocative imagery makes it easy to picture the gritty, fantastical land of Keirdre and its magical inhabitants, making Sing Me to Sleep an outstanding, darkly adventurous novel.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review
“A highly recommended addition to any collection that serves YA readers who enjoy mystery or fantasy.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“[A] thrilling page-turner. Snappy dialogue, unpredictable plot twists, skillful worldbuilding, strong characterization, and steamy, sensual tension between Saoirse and the prince create an immersive tale with an empowering social justice tone centering a predominantly Black and brown cast.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Burton spins an unforgettable debut that boasts impeccable characterizations and fresh takes on well-trod tropes that promise an amorous adventure centering a devoted, rag-tag family, stirring mythos, and sweetly budding romance.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Burton offers a compelling heroine in Saoirse…likely to spark timely conversations about the demands for over-and-above excellence placed on BIPOC, as well as discussion of Black female anger, beauty, and sexuality.” —BCCB Review
“Burton's fast-paced debut is sure to dazzle readers. . . An enthralling read with complex and morally gray characters. . . A fantasy that will hook from the first page and won't let go until the very last!” —Booklist
